On 12 September, Phakamani Lungisani Mahlambi will turn 28, and he is supposed to be in his prime.

And no one knows this better than Gavin Hunt.

Hunt, who introduced Mahlambi at the now defunct Bidvest Wits a decade ago, is now assessing the latter at Durban City for a possible signing.

The fact that the forward has not played football in four years is of little concern to Hunt.

Mahlambi’s last appearance was in September 2021 when he was on loan at Chippa United from Mamelodi Sundowns.

“I can’t revive him; he’s got to revive himself. I can only give him the platform,” said Hunt this week.

“He’s like any football player; I give him the platform, I give him the opportunity, and what he does… if they want to train, but he’s young.

“I mean, he was the brightest talent in South Africa, wasn’t he? And then he had that move to Al Ahly, back to Sundowns, and he came to Chippa with me, and he suffered an Achilles injury. He’s had more comebacks than George Foreman (the late heavyweight boxer).”

Mahlambi’s story is a copy and paste of many South African youngsters who fell by the wayside. The difference perhaps is that Mahlambi has Hunt in his corner, and the coach has, over the years, been receptive to Mahlambi’s request for a second or 10th chance, whatever you prefer to call it.

Hunt witnessed Mahlambi’s quick rise and fall, and about two years ago, the coach narrated how Mahlambi was blowing his money on alcohol early in his career.

“I was at a restaurant a couple of years ago. (Mahlambi) was at Al Ahly (in 2018); he left us. They were having a good time, six mates. They always have mates because they have money—anyway, I called the waiter over, and I asked, ‘What’s the bill over there?’ He said, ‘R45,000,’” Hunt explained.

“The bill was R45,000 so far—they were drinking Hennesseys, and he was 21 years old. It was R45,000. I told the waiter if you serve another drink there, I will personally (beat you up). You cancel the bill and get them out.”

Fast forward to 2025, and Mahlambi, who was born in Johannesburg, has reunited with Hunt at Durban City, albeit on a trial run.

Whether Mahlambi can salvage his career is anybody’s guess, but his 28th birthday is around the corner. It’s now or never!